US EditionDehorning Rhinos Slashes Poaching in South Africa's Greater Kruger
- Researchers led by Dr. Tim Kuiper published a seven-year study on June 5 showing that dehorning 2,284 rhinos across eight Greater Kruger reserves cut poaching by 78%.
- The study arose from reserve managers' concern over persistent rhino losses despite $74 million spent on anti-poaching efforts between 2017 and 2021, with systemic corruption and ineffective law enforcement undermining results.
- The research analyzed 1,985 poaching incidents over 2.4 million hectares spanning 11 reserves, revealing that dehorning reduces poaching incentives by removing valuable horns, though 111 dehorned rhinos were still killed.
- Dr. Kuiper reported that dehorning rhinos, which accounted for just a small fraction of the total conservation funding, resulted in a 95% decrease in poaching risk—from 13% down to 0.6% annually; nonetheless, issues such as horn regrowth and persistent poaching due to leftover horn stumps remain challenges.
- The study concludes that dehorning is a highly effective but temporary tactic that can buy time to tackle deeper drivers like horn demand, inequality, corruption, and criminal networks, emphasizing the need to empower local communities.
117 Articles
117 Articles
Dehorning Rhinos Could Defeat Poachers
Millions of dollars is being spent on armed patrols and high-tech surveillance to deter rhino poachers in Africa, but new research suggest another approach: removing the rhinoceros horns. A study published in the journal Science found a 78% drop in poaching in eight southern African wildlife reserves after dehorning efforts....
Rhinos are often targeted by poachers because their horns sell for a high price. Does removing the horns as a precautionary measure protect the animals? Yes, as a study in South Africa shows. By Stephan Ueberbach.
Dehorning rhinos sharply cuts poaching, study finds
What happenedThe most effective way of reducing the widespread poaching of rhinoceroses is cutting off their horns, conservationists and researchers reported Thursday in the journal Science. The study, covering seven years at 11 nature reserves in Southern Africa, found that dehorning reduced rhino poaching by 78% while other, more expensive efforts had no measurable impact.Who said whatRhino horns fetch tens of thousands of dollars in Asia, whe…
Controversial practice dramatically reduces rhino poaching
A sweeping new study across southern Africa has found that dehorning — the practice of pre-emptively removing animal horns — cut rhino poaching by 78% over 7 years, dramatically outperforming traditional law enforcement methods. Dehorning involves sedating the rhino and cutting the horn off, usually with a chainsaw, and then ensuring the animal recovers properly. The horns are typically cut just above the base, where they are not sensitive, and …
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